The Sentinels in the darkening of the year

flaris had come, as had castiel. deirdre was thankful for them, as well as the robust lotte who had arrived soon after the warrior had. starbuck she did not see, and this worried her--she had been meant to return this day, and now it was past that time. perhaps tomorrow she would come home to them, she hoped and fretted. emaleth knew of starbuck's brief departure, and so likely would share her fretting.

laerke and winchester had not arrived, and as emaleth spoke of what would be occurring this day, deirdre observed eilidh's ghost enter into the fold. her own emerald eyes brightened significantly at the sight of her--the last of the elder mayfair brood, the one that had decided to remain with them--and she solemnly observed her place the skull to the earth in offering. deirdre was happy for her being here, happy for--

eilidh turned to depart.

deirdre watched, and understood. she had in her no willpower to encourage her sister to remain here any longer. eilidh had endured enough, and had not emaleth herself left when she could not stand it here after their fathers death? not for an instant did deirdre allow herself to feel abandoned by her elders each. she was a child, true, but oh, certainly not untried! her mother had gone and had never returned to her, and next, her father. before even that casmir had left of his own volition, and after all this constantine had chosen to go with aria. deirdre knew plenty of hurting and loss, but those that had left her would never define her. her pain would not make her into who she was this day. for despite those losses, deirdre loved. she trusted. she kept her heart and mind open, and even as eilidh crossed the threshold, it remained this way. heal, eilidh, she encouraged with her mind, heal.

the eyes of her sister fell unto her. deirdre knew she must go first, and looked to her fathers grave with a deep sadness contouring her features. lasher mayfair, our father... she paused for a moment, looking to emaleth before continuing. he founded this place, and wished for it to know only peace. he was a good man, a kind man, who loved many, and who was loved in turn. she was silent, then, not wanting to say too much and wanting to hear the words of others. to know her wolves better would bring them closer, she hoped.